Islamabad, February 12, 2016 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) on Friday said $ 16billion government-to-government LNG deal with Qatar is one of the biggest achievement of the Government which will balance energy mix, boost economy and exports and provide jobs to millions.

The LNG deal is game changer which would cater for 20 percent of the energy needs but unlike economic corridor its impact would be felt immediately, it said.

The import of gas proves commitment of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif regarding resolving energy crisis while petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has worked hard over the years to make it a reality, said Mian Zahid Hussain who is President PBIF, AKIA and First Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI.

He said that deal would help textile, value-added, fertilizer and CNG industry which will reduce oil import bill and unemployment besides providing additional revenue to the government.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that this deal will have a positive impact on every person and every sector of the economy as gas import from Iran and Turkmenistan, benefitting from Thar coal and local exploration remains unsatisfactory.

He said that Pakistan is to import gas worth one billion dollars per annum while Pakistan will also save one billion annually which has made this deal ideal while agreement to export one hundred thousand workers to Qatar will reduce unemployment and improve forex situation.